Wheeled toy



March 2 1926.' I

F. A. PFEIFER WHEELED TOY Fill Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND A, PFEIFER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESN-E ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE SAMSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WHEELED TOY.

Application led November 8, 1924. Serial No. 748,568.

To all whom t may concern:

Be 1t lrnown that I, FERDINAND A.. Prinrnr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of @lark andl State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in vWheeled Toys, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to `the accompanying drawing. y

This invention relates to wheel 4toys and more particularly 'to a wheeled toy adapted to support and to be operated by a child.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which will be of a strong durable character; which may be easily operated andcontrolled, and which may be produced at a low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the steering axle will be held against turning movement until positive pressure is applied thereto and will tend to automaticallyT return to its normal position after it Las been turned.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the driving mechanism will be so arranged as to produce a minimum of frictional resis ance or binding of parts in the operation of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind with a strong rigid wheel, including the hub, which may be manufactured at a low cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying my invention, partly in section; Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 ot' Fig. l

looking in the direction ot the arrow; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken on the line -l-3 of Fig. l, showing the connection bctween one of the wheels `and the steering axle; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken cen` trally through one of the wheels; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of' a device embodying my invention with the steering axle in section and the rear wheel partly broken away; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing the operating lever in eleration; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view ot the seat and a portion'of the frame; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a port-ion oftliedevce showing the connection between the steering axle and the frame; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the front wheels provided with roller bearings; and Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 4L. f

In these drawings I have illustrated one vembodiment of my invention and have shown the same as comprising a frame consisting ot a single bar and supported by three wheels but it will be understood that this particular embodiment has been chosen for the purposes of illustration only and that the invention may take various forms nected with the frame in any .suitable man-` ner but I prefer that the connection should be such that the weight of the frame and the load thereon will resist the turning movement of the axle about its vertical axis and will tend to restore the axle to its normal position, at right angles to the frame, after it has been turned in steering the vehicle. consists of a single flat bar of metal arranged on edge, in a vertical plane, and the forward end portion of which is twisted about a longitudinal axis so that its greatest width willextend transversely to the plane of the body portion of the frame bar, as'shown at 5. This transverse portion of the frame is provided in its lower surface with an elongated recess or channel 6 which is preferably formed by bending or curving the end portion 5 of the frame bar about a longitudinalaxis. Theaxle 2 has a part shaped to it within this recess when the axle is at right angles to the frame and, as here shown, the central partof the axle is of increased vertical width to provide the same with a projection?, the upper surface of which is curved to fit within the curved recess in the end ot the frame.k The connection between the ltrarneand the a-Xle,

kAs here shown the frame l' itl is such as to permit the 'trame 'to have a limited vertical movement with relation to the axle i when torce applied to the i 'i t n the same Y a re the converging` u@ the recess G in the 'trame v-:ith a cam action and ivi l force the trame upwardly against the Weight ot the' load thereon and as soon as the turning` torce been relieved the Weight on the trame will tend to restorethe axle to its normal position. :fn the present tance the 'trame is connected with the axle by means ot a pivot pin or king bolt S which is slidably mounted in a vertical opening' in the axle and the upper end ot' which ri 'dif' sccured to the trame member.

reduced portieri is upset or riveted to secure the pin to the iframe. The lower end ot the pivot pin provided with -a stop, such as a transverse pin 10, to limit its upward movement.

The ground wheels which support the axle i? and which are shown at 3 may be secured to the respective ends ot the axle in any suitable manner but, as here shown, each end of the axle is provided with a longitudinal recess 12 adapted to receive 'the end ot a pin or spindle 13 which extends through a hub 1l of the Wheel and is provided 'at its outer end With a head 15 to retain the Wheel thereon. This pin or spindle is lirst passed through the hub and then inserted Ain the recess 12, in which it rigidly seemed in any suitable manner, b v means ot a Cotter pin 1,6. The hubs 1l of the trout Wheels may be provided with hub caps G2, which give the hubs a. tinished appearance and which, in the present instance, are permanently attached to the 'respectiw hubs and provided with openings through which the spindles may be removed. The hubs 1e. may, if desired, be provided with bearing rollers 63, as is shown in Fig. 9. It desired, the recess 12 may be arranged at a slight angle to the length ot' the axle so as to incline or tilt the Wheels, as shown in .Fig he ends ot' the axle may be enlaipjedr` as shown at 17, and given a shape to cin'respond more or less to the steerinpT knuckle ot an automobile.

The drivingr Wheel Prl,nra.y be ot anysuitable character and may be connected `with the rear end of the frame in any desired manner. In 'the present instance the drivingi'vheel is of similar construction to the steering' Wheels and is carried' by a trans- Yverse axle or shaft 19 extendingr through the hub Glthereot and supported at its ent ,i in the arms 20 and 21 ot a yoke Q2 which if; rigidly Secured t@ the bei er frame l.

varm of the yoke and the Wheel.

Vwheel 2G is rigidly secured to the driving Wheel by connecting members such as rivets 6:3 which pass through the sprocket and ears 66 formed by pockets 67 in the hub t-l. The sprocket 26 is connected by means of a sprocket chain Q7' .vth a second sprocket Wheel 28, ot larger diameter, which is mounted on a stud shaft't 29 mounted in the arm 2O ot the yoke and extending inwardly therefrom, that the sprocket Wheels and chain are arranged between the. The srocket Wheel 2S is connected by means ot a connecting' rod or pitmau S0 with an actuating device, such Aas a lever 31, which is mounted on the trame 1 near the for vard end thereof. The actuating lever 31, as here shown, comprises two bars rigidly secured one to the other near their ends and having' their lower portions spaced apart to re? ceive between them the frame bar 1 and the connecting' rod 30. A bolt 32 extending through `the two parts of the lever and the frame pivotally connects the lever with the frame, and a bolt 83 vextends through the tivo parts of the lever and the connecting rod to pivotally connect these members. The lever is preferably provided in its lower portion with two or more openings 3% to receive the bolt 33 so as to vary the distance between the pitman and the axis ot the lcver, thus varyingthe length ot the stroke of the operating lever and enabling the speed to be varied. The connecting' rod 3() is attached to the lever 31 directly beneath the frame bar 1 and is connected with the sprocket Wheel 28 by means ot' a pivotpin or Wrist 35 which extends inwardly therefrom, thus locating' the pivotal connect-ion between the connecting rod and the sprocket Wheel and close to the driving wheel. This causes the. connecting bar to extend at a slight anglo to the trame and reduces to a minimum the tendency otl the connecting' rod to bind at its points of connection Witlrthelever and the sprocket Wheel. The arm 2() ot the yoke. is of such Width that it will extend upwardly above the upper stretch ot the sprocket chain 27 and will constitute a guard for that chain. It desired, a mud guard 36 may be secured to the forward end ot the yoke Q2 and curved upwardly and rearwardly,above the drivingA ivheel.

Mounted on the trame l between the operating lever 31 and the drivingr ivhecl is-'a seat 3T. is here shown. this seat is carried by a bracket 35 provided With a longitudinal groove Q1 Channel, in its @Wessels liO .lil

seat to be readily adjust-ed from one posi-V tion to another and to vhold the same rigidly in its adjusted position and to efectually prevent the same froln tilting on the narrovvT frame member.

The seat and operating lever 31 are so arranged `with relation to the steering axle that the occupant of the seat may pla-ce his feet against the axle 2 on opposite sides of the frame, the axle being provided with foot plates or pads 43, and may grasp the lever 31 to operate the machine. The lever 31 is provided with a cross bar 44 to provide a convienient hand grip for the operator. This cross bar may be secured to the upper end of the lever in any suitable manner but, in the present instance, I have eniployed a connecting bracket having a depending web 46 extending between the upper ends of the two part-s of the lever, which are spaced apart to receive the same, and. rigidly secured thereto. The upper portion of the bracket comprises a horif Zontal channel 47, preferably curved about a very strong durable character.

a transverse axis, and adapted to receive and v lit about the cross bar 44. VThe upper edges of the channel extend slightly above the horizontal center of the cross bar. This bracket is preferably formed of a malleable casting and is cast with the side Walls of the channel spaced apart throughout their Width a distance sufficient to permit the insertion of the cross bar. After the cross bar has been inserted the upper edges of the channel walls are pressed about the bar so as to partially enclose the same and retain the same in the channel. Pins or rivets 48 are inserted through the channel and cross bar to hold the latter against endivise movement.

The Wheels for the vehicle may be of any suitable character and, as has been stated, the front and rear wheels are preferably similar in construction. I preferyhoivever, to employ the disk type of Wheel and I have here shown a disk Wheel which is very inexpensive to manufacture and which is of In this Wheel the hub 14- is provided with a circumferential flange 49 arranged approximately midway between the ends thereofl and adapted to form a support for a disk 50 of sheet metal having a central opening to enable the hub to be inserted through the same. A clamping ring 51 fits about the hub on that side of the disk 50 opposite the flange 49 and -iS rigidly ,secarse .te the tiene@ by means of bolts or rivets 52 extending through the clamping ring, disk and flange. The disk 50 is provided at its outer edge with a circumferential rim which may be of any suitable character but is here shown as channeled to receive a tire 54.

The rim is' preferably substantially semicircular in cross section and is formed separat-ely from the disk 50. To enable the rim to be easily and rigidly secured to the disk the. circumferential portion of the disk is slit at intervals and the alternate portions thereof are bent laterally in opposite directions, as shown at 55 and 56. Then the projections 55 and 56 are bent laterally o those on one side'of the disk are bent back to a position at substantially right angles to the plane of the disk so that the rim may be slipped onto the same and after the rim is in position the projections are pressed forwardly'sothat they will fit snugly and tightly about the curved inner surface of the rim. Preferably the other series of project-ions are given a curved shape when formed so lthat they will fit about the surface s of the rim. By thus initially shaping the second series of projections they form stops and facilitate the positioning of the rim on the disk.

If desired, the device may be provideil with a carrier which may serve either as a bundle carrier or an axiliary seat. As here shown, the carrier is in the forni of a shallow receptacle 57rigidly secured to the upper end of a supporting bracket 58, the lower end of which is provided with a portion 59 overlapping` the frame bar 1 and adapted to be secured thereto by means of a bolt 60. The lower end of the bracket is provided in ther rear of the bolt G0 with a transverse lug 61 which rests upon Ithe upper edge of the frame bar, and is further provided in front of the bolt with a forwardly extending projection or foot GQ which rests on the transverse portion of the frame bar near its forward end, thus forming a very rigid support for the carrier on the frame, and enabling the same to be quickly and easily removed from or placer in position on the frame. n

The constructionand operation of the vehicle will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that I haveprovided a device of this kind which is'of a very strong rigid construction, very simple in its construction and of such a character that it can be manufactured and assembled` at a low cost. Because of the arrangement of the operating ymechanism the operation of the device is easy, there being practically no tendency of the several parts of the driving mechanism to bind or to cause undue friction or resistance.. The connectiou between the steering axle and the traine tends tQlwkLtlis axle/actually in a position at right angles to the frame and prevents the same from Wobbling or from turning' until positive force is applied thereto, thus making the device very easy to steer. rlhe seat and operating` mechanism are adjustable to accommodate the same to children ot' diilferent sizes and, further, the construction is lic'ht in Weight so that it can be easily handled by a child.

lhile l have shown and described one embodiment ot' my invention I Wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various inoditications may appear to a person skilled in the art.

Having non' ilully described my invention,

.vhat l claim as neiv and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. l'n a device oi the character described, longitudinal frame, a seat carried by said nine, a driving Wheel supporting one end ci said frame, means for actuating-,said driving wheel, an axle 'pivotally connected between its ends with the other end of vsaid trame, and Wheels carried by the respective ends of said axle, said axle and said trame having' cooperating parts controlled by the weight on said frame to resist the movement ot said axle about its pivotal `connection with said frame.

2. .ln a device of thc character described, a longitudinal frame, a seat carried by said frame, a driving` Wheel supporting one end ot said iframe, means for actuating said driving Wheel, an axle pivotally connected between its ends with theother end of said traine, and wheels carried by the-respective ends ot' said axle, said end of said frame being capable oil" vertical movement relative to said axle and said axle having a part arranged to impart vertical movement to sai-:l end ci' said trame when said axle is n'ioved about its pivotal connection With said frame.

3. ln a device ont the character described, a longitudinal trame, a seat Carried by said trame, a driving Wheel supporting one end ot said frame, means for actuating said driving Wheel, an laxle pivotally connected bet-Ween its ends with the other end ot' said traine, and wheels carried by the respective ends of said axle, said axle and said frame having cooperating' canrshaped parts controlled by the Weight on said frame to resist the movement of said axle about its pivotal connection with said frame.

fl. ln a Adevice of the character described, a longitudinal trame, a seat carried by said i'raine, -a dri-ving Wheel supporting one end ol Vsaid frame, means for actuatingsaid drivin; Wheel, an axle pivotally connected between its ends With-the otherend of same trame, Vand wheels carried by the respective ands otsaidaxle, said end of said ramebei-ng capable `.olf vertical cinovemll zrelatiiie 4to nas/fesse said axle and having a recess in its lower surface, and said axle having a part arranged to enter said recess and so shaped that the movement otf said axle about its axis Will impart vertical movement to the end oi' said trame.

ln a device of the character described, a driving wheel, an axle, Wheels carried by said axle.` a traine supported at one end by said driif'ing wheel and at the other end by said axle, the last mentioned end of said irame having' arecess provided with upwardly converging- Walls and said axle having a part extending' into said recess, a pivotpin connecting` said frame and said axle, extending through said recess and said part ot said axle and arranged to permit the end ol1 said frame to move upward relative to said axle, said part of said axle beingI so shaped that it Will impart upward movement to said end of said frame when said axle is turned about its axis.

6. In a device of the character described, a driving wheel, an axle having an upwardly extending projection at 'the center thereof, Wheels carried by said axle, a l'rame comprising a flat bar arranged in a vertical plane, supported at its rear end by said driving Wheel and having'its front end pon tion turned about a longitudinal axis approximately toa horizontal plane and having' a recess in the loiver side thereof to receive the project-ion on said axle, and a pivot pin connecting' said'front end of said frame 'to said=axle and arranged 'to permit said end of said frame to move upward. relative to said axle.

7. In a device or' the character described, a frame, an axle pivotally connected with and supporting one end of said frame, one of said parts having a recess and the other of said parts having a project-ion extending into said recess, said end of said frame beingr capable of a limited upward movement with relation to said axle and said projection, and said recess being so arranged that the movement of said axle about its pivotal connection with said ramevv'ill impart upward movement to said frame, whereby said frame Will resist vthe turning of.. said axle and will tend to retain the same in its normal positi n with relation to said traine.

8. In a device ol" the character described, an axle, 'Wheels carried by said axle, a narroiv ,elongated frame having its upper edge materially lower than the tops of said Wheels and leaving its forward end supported by and pivotally connected with said axle between the ends thereof, a iilrivinp; Wheel., means `for connecting' said driving' Wheel with the rear end of said frame, a scat carried by said frame, and means mounted on said Virame for actuating said driving Wheel.

9, :la ,a device got; the Character described,

an axle, wheels carried by said axle, a narrow elongated frame having its upper edge materially lower than the tops of said wheels and having its forward end snpported by and ypivotally connected with said axle between the ends thereof, a yoke secured to the rear end of said frame, a driving wheel mounted in said yoke, a seat carried by said frame, an actuating member mounted on said frame between said seat and said axle, and means for operatively connecting said actuating member with said driving wheel.

10. In a device of the character described, an axle, wheels carried by said axle, a narrow elongated frame 'having its for tard end supported by and pivotally connected with said axle, a yoke secured to therear end of said frame, a driving wheel mounted between the arms of said yoke, a sprocket wheel secured to said driving wheel, a second sprocket wheel mounted on one arm of said yoke and arranged between said arm and said sprocket wheel, a sprocket chain extending about said sprocket wheels, a lever mounted on said frame, and a connecting rod connected at one end with said lever and connected at its other end with said second sprocket wheel, the last mentioned end of said connecting rod being arranged between said second sprocket wheel and said driving Wheel.

ll. In a device ofthe character described, an axle, wheels carried by said axle, a narrow elongated frame having its forward end supported by and pivotally connected with said axle, a yoke secured to the rear end of said frame, a driving wheel mounted between the arms of said yoke, driving mechanism for said wheel comprising a r0- tatable member mounted on one arm of said yoke between said arm and said driving wheel and having an inwardly extending wrist pin, an operating lever pivotally mounted on said frame and extending beneath the same, a connecting rod pivotally connected at one end with the lower end of said lever and having its other end mounted on said wrist pin.

l2. In a device of the character described, a flat bar arranged on edge and constituting the frame of said device, an axle pivotally connected to the forward end of said bar, wheels carried by said axle, a yoke rig-- idly secured to the rear end of said bar, a driving wheel mounted between the arms of said yoke, an actuating member mounted on said bar and operatively connected with said driving wheel, and a seat mounted on said bar in the rear of said actuating member.

i3. In a device of thecharacter described, a flat bar arranged in a vertical plane and constituting the frame of said device, said bar having its forward end twisted about a tially right angles to the plane of said bar, an axle supporting said end of said bar and .pivotally connected therewith, wheels carried by said axle, a yoke having a part overlapping the rear end of said bar and rigidly secured thereto, a driving wheel mounted between the arms of said yoke, operating mechanism for said driving wheel comprising a rotatable member mounted on said yoke between one of the arms thereof and said driving wheel and operatively connected with said driving wheel, an operating lever pivotally mounted on said bar, a connecting rod connecting said lever with said rotatable member, and a seat mountclii on said bar in the rear of said lever.

Il. In a device of the character described, a ilat bar arranged in a vertical plane and constituting the frame of said device, said bar having its forward end twisted about a Vlongitudinal axis and extending atv substantially right angles to the plane of said bar,

an axle supporting said end of said bar and pivotally connected therewith, wheels carried by said axle, a yoke having a part eve lapping the rear end of said bar and rigidly secured thereto, a driving wheel mounted between the arms of said yoke, operating mechanism for said driving wheel comprising a rotatable member mounted on said yoke between one of the arms thereof and said driving wheel and operatively connected with said driving wheel, an operating lever pivotally mounted onsaid bar, a connecting rod connectingy said lever with said rotatable member, a seat mounted on said bar in the rear of said lever, said seat comprising a supporting bracket having a channel to receive the edge of ysaid bar and having a part overlapping the vvertical face of said bar, and means for securing the last mentioned part of said bracket to said bar,

15. In a device of the character described, a flat bar arranged on edge and constituting the frame of said device, an axle supporting the forward end of said bar and pivotally connected therewith, wheels carried by said axle, yoke rigidly secured to the rear end of said bar, a driving wheel mounted between the arms of said yoke, an actuating device mounted on said bar and operatively connected with said driving wheel, and a seat comprising a bracket having a longitudinal channel in the lowerside thereof to receive the upper edge of said bar and having a part overlapping a vertical face of said bar, and mea-ns for rigidly securing said part to said bar.

1G. In a device of the character described, a narrow elongated frame, an axle supporting the forward end of said frame and pivotally connected therewith, wheels carried by said axle, a driving wheel supporting the rear end of said frame, a seat mounted on said frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said frame between said seat and said axle, and operatively connected with said driving'wheel, a bracket yrigidly secured to the upper end of said lever and having a channel extending transversely to said lever, and a cross bar seated within said channel, the side walls of said channel extending above the horizontal center of said cross bar and litting snugly about the same.

17. In a device of the character described, a narrow elongated frame, an axle supporting the forward end of said trame and pivotally connected therewith, .wheels carried by said axle of such a diameter that theyextend materiallyr above said frame, a driving wheel supporting the rear end o1Ll .said trame, an vactuating device mounted on said frame and operatively connected with said driving wheel, Va seat mounted on said trame, and a carrier mounted on the forward portion of said frame and arranged above said axle.

18. lin a device of the character described, a narrow elongated frame, an axle supporting' the orwardveml of .said traine and invotally connected therewith, `wheels earried by said axle, a driving` wheel supporting the rcarend of said frame, an actuating device mounted on said frame and operatively connected with said driving wheel, a seat mounted on lsaid ytrame, and a ca-rrier comprising ,a supporting bracket vhaving a part voverlapping .the forward portion of lsaid frame, and a bolt to secure said part to said trame, said bracket having parts arranged in the front and to the rear ot' supporting the rear end of said frame, an

axle supporting the forward end of Vsaid frame and pivotally connected therewith, wheels arranged at the respective ends ot said axle, zeach of said wheels comprising a hub, a spindle .journaled in said hub and having means for retaining said hub .thereon, and means for rigidly Ysecuring said spindle to the adjacent end of said axle.

20. In a device of the character described, a wheel, the hub of which is .provided with pockets forming ears, and a sprocket wheel attached to said ears.

21. In a device of the character described,

a wheel ythe hub of which is provided with ture hereto.

FERDINAND A. PFEIFER. 

